Our Story
Since 1999 the RoboHawks have existed as an Engineering Club at Champlain Valley Union HS in Hinesburg, VT mentored by CVU Design & Engineering Technology teacher Olaf Verdonk.
The group has always strived to inspire students to be engineers and innovators through exciting, passion based, hands-on learning. For many years the CVU Engineering Club dominated the Univ. of Vermont's yearly TASC (Technology and Science Competition) taking top prizes in many different categories all the while making future engineers and STEM leaders.
The RoboHawks "hatched" as team #5741 when they participated in the FTC 2012-13 "Ring It Up" season. With a very steep learning curve the RoboHawks have grown from a club into an opportunity for students at CVU to pursue engineering problem solving, advanced manufacturing, and complex project management through FIRST passion-based and project based learning. The team has had many ups and downs over the 10+ seasons participating in FTC. But the 2020-21 Ultimate Goal was the breakthrough year where the team's hard work earned them several awards and their first trophy!
The group has always strived to inspire students to be engineers and innovators through exciting, passion based, hands-on learning. For many years the CVU Engineering Club dominated the Univ. of Vermont's yearly TASC (Technology and Science Competition) taking top prizes in many different categories all the while making future engineers and STEM leaders.
The RoboHawks "hatched" as team #5741 when they participated in the FTC 2012-13 "Ring It Up" season. With a very steep learning curve the RoboHawks have grown from a club into an opportunity for students at CVU to pursue engineering problem solving, advanced manufacturing, and complex project management through FIRST passion-based and project based learning. The team has had many ups and downs over the 10+ seasons participating in FTC. But the 2020-21 Ultimate Goal was the breakthrough year where the team's hard work earned them several awards and their first trophy!
Past Experience
2022-2023 Team
CVU Robotics Coach
Olaf Verdonk
Olaf is the RoboHawks faculty advisor and a Design and Engineering Technology teacher at Champlain Valley Union High School. When he is not spending endless hours in the shop with the robotics and engineering students, he is outside skiing and playing hockey, eh?
The FTC Team
2021-2022 Team
The FTC Team
Wolfie12th grade
Mechanical, Driver Coach This will be my 7th season, and I love all things that have to do with CAD (Fusion 360, Onshape, Sketchup and more), technology, and making things. I also race drones, take photos and ski. Favorite Color: #221CBF Favorite Food: Steak Favorite Animal: Wolf |
Lindsay12th grade
Mechanical, Driver, PR This is my third year competing in FTC and second with NEXUS. I'm really excited to be working with the team again this year. Favorite Color: #00807E Favorite Food: Burrito Favorite Animal: Koala |
Jared11th grade
Mechanical, Driver I am a Junior at CVU competing in my 6th FTC competition. Favorite Color: #F75B02 Favorite Food: Orecchiette Bolognese Favorite Animal: Bear |
Jack
11th grade
Mechanical, Design This is my second year of RoboHawks and my first year on the Team. Favorite Color: #1A05F3 Favorite Food: Chocolate Favorite Animal: Dog |
Crawford
11th grade
Mechanical, Design, Outreach I am a junior at CVU and this is my first year participating in FIRST. Outside of robotics I like to design projects, ski race, and sail. Favorite Color: #1403C0 Favorite Food: Pizza Favorite Animal: Tarsier |
Sam11th grade
Mechanical Hi all, I am a junior here at CVU, and I enjoy ultimate Frisbee, board games, and competitions of almost every variety. Favorite Color: #630194 Favorite Food: Pizza Favorite Animal: Bear |
Violet11th grade
Mechanical This is my first year on the team, and I hope to enjoy being on the team for the remainder of my high school years. I enjoy problem-solving and puzzles. Favorite Color: #467943 Favorite Food: Sushi Favorite Animal: Turtles |
Charlotte10th grade
Mechanical This is my first year on the CVU RoboHawks team! I like building things, playing field hockey, and doing art. Favorite Color: #FFC0CB Favorite Food: Sandwiches Favorite Animal: Sun Conure |
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch!